A special program showcasing Japan's traditional performing arts began in front of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Friday, opening a three-day performance series dedicated to the ongoing recovery efforts from the Great East Japan Earthquake.
The series is being conducted under the auspices of the Japan Cultural Expo, a government-led initiative celebrating the nation's long artistic and cultural heritage.
On the first day of the program, titled "Representation of Prayer," noh and kyogen were performed on an outdoor stage with the Nijubashi bridge, which leads to the Imperial Palace, in the background.
Accompanied by a chorus of birdsong, Kanze Kiyokazu, 26th head of the Kanze school, played the main role in an ancient noh piece titled "Okina," chanting a prayer for national peace and tranquility.
On Saturday, "Urahama Nenbutsu Kenbai," a traditional sword dance from Iwate Prefecture, was canceled due to rain. Ryukyu dance is scheduled to be performed on Sunday.
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